This unique weekend begins with a warm Wicklow welcome, wine & Wicklow cheeses in the elegant surroundings of the restored Ballroom and Library of Coollattin House. Don period costume (optional) and mingle with both the gentry and the tenants of the Fitzwilliam Estate.

Guest speakers  Jim Rees, historian and author of Surplus People, & Joe Kenny of Kennytree.com.

‘Canada’s Wicklow Roots’ will be a new permanent, portable exhibition celebrating the lives of those who left Wicklow for a new life in Canada. Descendants are encouraged to provide us with their stories for possible inclusion.

Lord Fitzwilliam Agent Chaloner, staff and tenants of the Fitzwilliam Estate will be particularly busy discussing the details of the Clearence but they will be on hand during the weekend to answer any of your questions about life on the estate.

Guest speaker Prof. Stewart Donovan of St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick.
By kind permission of Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, this exhibition is on special loan to Canada Come Home and celebrates the Irish who made their home in New Brunswick including the passengers on the Star carrying passengers from the Fitzwilliam Estate to St. Andrews.

Enjoy Wicklow beef, Irish salmon and an array of fine local produce, while we share stories of hearth and homes, old and new.

Featuring ‘Essence’ the Irish Canadian duo of Karen Lynch and Paul Redmond and the Shillalagh Seanachaidh

(Sat & Sun depending on numbers)
Coollattin Golf Club  was founded by William ( Billy) 7^th Earl Fitzwilliam who was born in Canada in 1878.   Some suspect he was a ‘changling’ swapped at birth to ensure the Fitzwilliam dynasty had a male heir!

Finishing with tea & scones!

A chance to meet and chat with your Irish relatives over a cup of tea in the kitchen.

Local historians will be on hand to voluntarily help you search for your family and homestead.

Assisted Emigration from the Fitzwilliam Estate with guest speaker Fidelma Byrne.

The mighty symbol of Canada in honor of all those who left our shores.

Tour will include tenant cottages, cemetery & homesteads.

Local fare will be available throughout the day

with your Irish relatives over a cup of tea in the kitchen

Traditional fare including Soda Bread,  Coddle etc. in the Coollattin kitchen.

Butter making for the kids and an ‘Old Skills Workshop’

Vintage automobiles, farm machinery, antiques and costume.

With Guest Speaker

Enjoy a good old fashioned Ceilidh at Coollatin, with Irish Stew, Traditional Music & Set Dancing.

…continues.

Finishing off with tea & scones.

Our local historians will be on hand again to help you find your family and homestead.

To include tenant cottages, cemetery & homesteads in the area.

Digital Collage a local primary school project.

Local fare will be available throughout the day

Corn on the cob,  pancakes & maple syrup, pickling etc. in Coollattin garden.

Corn Shucking & Corn Dolly making for the kids and ‘Pioneer Skills Workshop’

Readings & Book signings

Will your name be on the trophy?

We welcome the walkers/runners back home with the Arklow Pipe Band.

‘The Walk Home’ is intended to recreate in reverse the 2 day walk taken by the emigrants  as they made the journey to the harbor at New Ross.  ‘The Walk Home’ is open to all,  casual walkers or marathon runners.  You can walk or run the entire distance or walk a short stage.  The Walk will start at the Dunbrody Famine  Ship on Friday morning.

Closing ceremony of Canada Come Home incl. presentation to emigrant descendants.